Demos Vice President Heather McGhee in Support of Walmart's Striking Workers

For Immediate Release

Demos Vice President Heather McGhee in Support of Walmart's Striking Workers

NEW YORK - In light of Walmart’s illegal retaliation and intimidation tactics against the members of the Organization United for Respect at Walmart (OUR Walmart), who recently announced their plans to strike for better work place practices, Demos Vice President of Policy and Outreach Heather McGhee issued this statement in support:

“Demos stands with the millions of Americans who struggle under the suffocating low-wage model that Walmart has pioneered. Walmart is the world’s largest private employer, but its inexcusable reluctance to pay its workers a living wage forces many employees to rely on taxpayer dollars to take care of their basic needs.”

“Demos believes that all Americans should have an equal opportunity in our economy – an idea that can only become a reality when employers like Walmart prioritize living wage standards. According to a report we released last year, Retail’s Hidden Potential: How Raising Wages Would Benefit Workers, the Industry and the Economy Overall a higher wage floor opens the door for 1.5 million Americans - including workers and the families they support - to escape the confines of poverty or near poverty, in addition to an increase in retail sales and the creation of over 100,000 new jobs.”

“We stand with Walmart employees as they head to Bentonville, Arkansas to combat these retaliatory tactics. Fear should not compromise the voices of workers organized for change. Walmart has the opportunity to improve the lives of thousands of its workers and change the face of corporate America by addressing the needs of these hard working employees.”

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A multi-issue national organization, Demos combines research, policy development, and advocacy to influence public debates and catalyze change. We publish books, reports, and briefing papers that illuminate critical problems and advance innovative solutions; work at both the national and state level with advocates and policymakers to promote reforms; help to build the capacity and skills of key progressive constituencies; project our values into the media by promoting Demos Fellows and staff in print, broadcast, and Internet venues; and host public events that showcase new ideas and leading progressive voices.

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